GREEN BAY – Will Chevalier didn’t want to go through his senior season with the Kimberly boys basketball team worried about his future.

So when the 6-foot-8 senior stretch forward committed to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in July, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He just had to focus on helping his Papermakers win on the court now that his business off it was done.

“I feel a lot more relaxed than I did last year,” Chevalier said. “Last year, I had a lot to think about. Just a lot on my mind with college and stuff. This year I feel a lot more relaxed, and I feel like that’s helped me a lot.”

Each one of those numbers represents a career-high for Chevalier, who arguably has been the biggest reason for Kimberly’s 11-0 start.

He has scored in double figures in each game, including a career-high 36 points against Fond du Lac on Jan. 13. He also had 23 against Kaukauna, 26 against De Pere and 27 against Appleton North.

“I think he has been playing well from what we have heard,” UWGB coach Linc Darner said. “We have had different people see him. I know that (freshman guard) Trevor (Anderson) went to a game they played in and said he played really well.

“He seems to be shooting the ball really well. I think he has rebounded the ball better than he has in the past, which is good and something we are going to need. He is making shots, and that’s a big thing. They have had a couple games postponed, but right now, they are having a heck of a year. Hopefully they can continue.”

Most people already identified Chevalier as a good shooter. But he also has focused on his play in the post, which is just another aspect he’s gotten better at from his junior season.

“I’m feeling really confident,” Chevalier said. “My shot feels a lot better than it has in the past, and I’ve always felt pretty good about it. That’s a good thing.

“But also I think the rebounding is a big thing that I have picked up this year. I mean, I’m averaging probably one or two more rebounds than I was last year as well. I think anything little like that that I can improve on from last year is a big thing.”

Chevalier attended UWGB’s preseason game against Indiana Tech in November, but his busy schedule hasn’t allowed him to see the team in person during the regular season. Still, he makes sure to watch the Phoenix when it’s on television and also get updates via social media.

His goal right now is helping lead Kimberly to the WIAA state tournament for the first time since 2007. The Papermakers advanced to the sectional semifinals last season, one year after reaching a sectional championship.

But every so often, Chevalier will give thought to a basketball future that appears bright.

“I think about it when I’m by myself,” he said. “But when I’m with my team, I just focus on what lies right in front of us. I can think more about the future when the season is over and when I’m done playing high school ball.

“But for now, I just tend to stay pretty focused on the high school season.”

Chevalier is one of four players from Darner’s 2017 recruiting class who have signed letters of intent.

Lemont (Illinois) guard Shawn “PJ” Pipes has flourished as a senior after picking UWGB over schools such as Lewis University, the University of Denver, St. Cloud State and Minnesota State.

The 6-2 Pipes is averaging 24.4 points, 3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game and recently scored the 1,000th point of his career. He also was nominated for the 2017 McDonald’s All American Games.

“He’s doing what he's always done for us in his three years as a varsity player — leading,” Lemont coach Rick Runaas said. “He’s continuing to work on every phase of his game and really wants to leave his mark here at Lemont. We’ll miss him tremendously after this year for everything that he is and does.”

Joliet West (Illinois) forward Trevian Bell has led his team to a 17-2 overall record and an 8-0 mark in the Southwest Prairie Conference. He was closing in on reaching 1,000 points for his career entering the weekend.

The 6-6 Bell has continued to show his versatility, which is something the Phoenix will utilize. He has the chance to play multiple positons in college.

“I saw PJ play the other day and I’m going to see Trevian play next Tuesday,” Darner said. “And Coach (Ben) Swank has seen games. We try to get out and see them as much as we can, but we also have to go see other guys, too.”

The Phoenix also will welcome a junior college transfer in College of Central Florida shooting guard Paul Turner. The 6-5 sophomore is averaging 17.7 points and shooting 48.4 percent from the floor.

He appeared in 31 games and started five as a freshman last season, averaging 7.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game and shooting 82.5 percent from the line.

One more to go

UWGB has one scholarship left for the 2017 class.

Darner is not allowed to comment on players who commit to the team but haven’t signed their letter of intent, so he certainly can’t comment on players the Phoenix is going after in the recruiting wars.

Manny Patterson appears to be one of the team’s top targets. The 6-8 forward from Kenwood Academy in Chicago took an official visit to Green Bay in September. He has several offers, including one from Horizon League foe Illinois-Chicago.

UWGB also has an offer out to Manuel Academy (Illinois) forward Romon Douglas-Watkins – he tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a knee during the summer and will miss his entire senior season – along with Whitney Young Magnet (Illinois) small forward Lucas Williamson.

The 6-5 Williamson entered the month averaging more than 20 points and 5 rebounds while shooting 61 percent. He had 21 points and eight rebounds in a win over Joliet West and Bell on Saturday.